The authors agree that this surname is of Germanic origin, although they differ in their etymological interpretation. E. Rossoni links it to the Italianization of the Germanic feminine name Fredesindus, documented in a medieval deed that mentions a certain Fredesindus, wife of Gualterius. V. Blunda, on the other hand, considers it a Sicilian surname derived from the Germanic compound Frithu Svintha, meaning "path of peace" or "march in peace", formed by frithu (peace, truce) and svintha (path, way, direction). According to Blunda, in ancient Germanic law the frithu guaranteed the immunity of public roads during special periods, prohibiting the carrying of weapons and violent disputes.

As for its geographical distribution, Rossoni distinguishes several related forms. The variant Frisenda is concentrated in the Salentine area —that is, the southernmost zone of the region of Puglia, in the south of Italy— in localities of the Lecce area, and in Sicily in the Messina area. The variant Frisenna appears in zones of Lecce and Foggia, in Puglia, and also in the Catania area in Sicily. The variant Frisina presents zones in Bari, in Calabria, and in various localities of Sicily. Blunda, for his part, notes that the surname is preserved especially in the south of Italy of continental Lombard imprint.